Simply put, a machinist uses tools to make other tools. Some machine tools used are the milling machine, lathe, surface grinder, CNC mill and CNC turning centres, among others.
A machinist cuts, drills, taps, reams, bores, mills, turns, deburrs, files, grinds, programs, and assembles metals, plastics, wood, and any number of
exotic materials used in consumer goods,
automotive, aerospace, and medical areas of industry.
Machinists--unlike machine operators--are skilled tradesmen. They are required to have a solid background in problem-solving skills using technical math, metrology (measurement), as well as CNC programming (Mastercam, Solidworks, etc.) editing, and
operation.
